Tips & Resources Archives

Healthy Cleaning Tips: Greener ways to Clean

March 29, 2026 by Heather Filed Under: Health, Inspiration & Education, Organize, Tips & Resources, Uncategorized 1 Comment

The change of seasons is the perfect time to declutter, organize your closets, and create a clean and fresh start in your home. The following healthy cleaning tips are meant to help you understand what you’re putting into your homes and bodies.

There are so many cleaners and cleaning products on the market, but do you really know what’s in them?

With the recent focus on sanitizing since COVID, it’s important to understand how to make cleaning choices that will keep our homes and bodies healthy.

How healthy are the cleaners that you use?

Non-toxic, more healthy cleaning should be part of your everyday home cleaning routine – and especially if you have small children. The benefits of these healhty greener cleaners include; fewer toxins and chemicals being absorbed into the skin, less damaging to the environment and better air quality in your home and they are less expensive in some cases (DIY cleansers!). If you want to better understand the toxic chemicals to look out for in your cleaners, check out my previous wellness post on the subject.

GreenWorks Multi-Purpose Cleanser is a great cleanser to use for virtually any room in your house. It can be used for a variety of different tasks and is safe for your home and your children. Not only is it made with 97% organic materials, but it also works on those stubborn stains or hard to handle messes.

Method is another cleaner that has the environmental seal of approval. The method product line comes in a variety of different cleaners including hand soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, bathroom cleaners, all-purpose cleaners and even a body wash for men and women! They come in a variety of scents and uses all biodegradable materials. They’ve thought of everything!

Mrs. Myers is a wholesome midwest cleaning brand started by Mrs. Thema A. Meyer. She created Mrs. Meyers because of her penchant for keeping things neat and tidy and the scents were inspired by her garden. Her line of cleaning products which range from hand soap, body soap, laundry detergent and air fresheners are all made with natural scents like mint, basil, and lavender. If you want your home smelling like a bouquet of roses this Spring, you better get cleaning with Mrs. Meyers!

For those who want to know EVERYTHING that is in their cleaners, DIY is the way to go! Many homemade cleaners are made with ingredients you probably already have around your home. Vinegar, essential oils, baking soda, olive oil, and water are the key players in most of your homemade cleaners.

Bathroom

Vinegar is a key ingredient to getting rid of bathroom dirt and grime! For tough toilet stains, add ½ baking soda along with a few drops of essential oils into your toilet bowl when you’re ready to tackle the toilet add ¼ cup of vinegar and scrub away the mess as it works its magic.

A spritz of pure vinegar can be used in your shower and sink on soap scum and hard water residue. Add it to a spray bottle and spritz it on, letting the vinegar soak for 20-30 minutes before wiping off. If that doesn’t work, add baking soda to the mix and try again in 15 minutes.

Kitchen

Most kitchen surfaces can also be treated with vinegar, but if your surfaces are made from marble, granite or stone stay away from the high acidity and use vodka or rubbing alcohol instead- which both have anti-viral properties. Mixing equal parts water and vinegar/alcahol will make a very effective multi-purpose cleaner that can be used on most surfaces including countertops, floors, and walls. Add your favorite essential oils to increase the anti-viral (think tea tree, thyme, lavendar or citrus sents) properties and make your home smell wonderful!

More healthy cleaning tips

To tackle greasy frying pans just add salt – and give it a good scrub! If you need to clean a cast iron pan add olive oil and a teaspoon of course salt and rinse well with water. The best way to sanitize surfaces is with a lemon, simply cut it in half and run it over the surface you would like to disinfect.

Having the right ingredients is only half of the job, having the right cleaning tool is the other half. Sponges that have a harder edge are good for scrubbing stubborn pots and pans. Rags or microfibre clothes are excellent for disinfecting surfaces and the magic eraser is great for removing soap scum, scuff marks and any other war wounds your child puts into it!

Laundry

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The laundry room is where most people run into trouble with the homemade detergents because if you throw a cup of vinegar in with your clothes, they wouldn’t come out smelling very nice. Laundry detergent is a bit tougher to make, only in the sense that you have to add more ingredients. Combine bar soap (chopped and processed), baking soda, essential oils, vinegar and washing soda and you will have created a very effective and pleasant-smelling laundry detergent.

Instead of using dryer sheets that lose their scent after one use, try using laundry ‘scenters’ that will stay fresh for up to 30 loads of laundry, or more! Add your favorite herbs or loose tea to a sachet (one that has holes that the herbs can aerate is best). For more laundry organizing and cleaning tips, check out this post.

Floors

Every room in your house has one and floors can be tricky to keep clean. Anyone with hardwood floors can keep it simple by washing (or steam cleaning) with warm water, just be sure not to over soak your mop when washing the floors.

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If your floors still aren’t looking as clean as they should, add a bit of dish soap in to bring out the dirt and let those floors shine.

Laminate floors are very delicate and steam mops shouldn’t be used on them. When cleaning a laminate floor clean with a light mop and spray the cleaner onto the mop, not directly onto the floor. Using a mixture of three parts water, one part vinegar and a squirt of dish soap should do the trick.

Most other floors are easy enough to care for and don’t require any special precautions. A typical all-purpose floor cleaner is a cup of water, ½ cup of vinegar and a tbsp of vegetable oil to bring out the floors natural glow.

There are hundreds of different homemade cleaner recipes out there, all have different purposes and work differently for all homeowners and their grime, but the one thing we can all agree on is that they are made from natural ingredients and have a positive impact on your home and the environment. If you have any recipes you’d like to share, please leave them in the comments below!

Get Organized in ’26 with these posts from ’16

January 9, 2026 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

As we ease into the first month of 2026 otherwise known (for some) as GO (get organized) month, I want to share a review of some favorite posts from 2016. Yes, you read that right! I have been in business for over a decade (celebrating 15 years in MAY! and so much of the content I have written and shared is evergreen and as applicable today as it was when I wrote these posts, ten years ago!

It’s always helpful to review where you have been and close the door as you step into new directions!

2016 Artist Studio Round Up

Creative Posts

The In The Studio Artist Interview Series has introduced to a spectrum of creatives in Charleston, Gatlinburg, New York and NC. These 15 artists work in a range of media from ceramics artists, painters, jewelry makers, and taxidermists to name only a handful. I consider every one of my artist interviews a favorite so if you want to find them all in one spot check out this post.
Learn how to create a Capsule wardrobe for yourself or your kids. Proportion, drape, body shape, size, lifestyle, profession and personal expression, social responsibility and seasonal attire are all factors to consider when creating your own Capsule Wardrobe.
The Three C’s of Getting Organized. It takes a bit of Curiosity, a bit of Creativity and a Commitment to make lasting changes. Want to be let in on a little secret, wink, wink…? Click here

Capsule Wardrobe

Productivity Posts

People often ask me what productivity Apps I use and recommend. It’s been a while since I’ve included a roundup on the blog so as requested, here are some useful Apps with a focus on Personal and Business Productivity. Check out these great Apps for business and personal Productivity.
Essential Documents everyone needs to have and be able to locate. Being prepared for the unexpected means having essential documents (and copies of them) in order and easy to find. Some people call these their Vital Documents. Whatever you call them they are really important!
A Quick tip on The Art of List making. I find that a lot of people’s idea of list making is to just keep one big ongoing “To Do”. Do you think about every single thing on your list as a “problem”? This seems to be the normal mindset around items that need to be done.

Organized Home (& Car) Posts

Helping Family members downsize with ease. We value our lives and those of others, including family members, especially as they age. Anyone at a crossroads in life facing the prospect of estate planning knows how stressful it can be. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting to face your legacy and the perceived value of your life.
Maintaining order when saving sentimental items. Sentimental Saving can feel like a way to capture time in a bottle.
On the Go-On the Go-Car Organizing. Having a system for In Car Organizing means you’re more likely to keep your sanity on the road. This is especially true when you spend a ton of time in your car, to and from work, carpool, errands or before you head out for a road trip vacation! Before you hit the road, give your car a quick clean out with these In Car Organizing Tips.

I’m looking forward to sharing lots of great new organizing, appraisal and collections management ideas and tips this year! Is there a subject you would like to see me cover this year? Leave me a comment below and I’ll do my best to cover it in an upcoming post!

Simple Ways to Get Organized for the Holidays: A Stress-Free Guide

November 26, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

As the holiday season approaches, we dream of cozy evenings by the fireplace, quality time with family, and flawless festive events. But then, November and December arrive, and suddenly, we’re thrown into a tailspin of planning, prep, and stress! There has to be a better way, right? Try a few simple ways to get organized for the holidays.

Quick Pre-Holiday Decluttering

It’s hard to organize anything without decluttering first, but who has that time during the holidays? That’s why a quick declutter is an easy approach!

Here’s what I recommend:

Grab a trash bag for garbage and a box for donations.
Go from room to room and grab anything you know can go.
Get the family involved if possible!
Remind your family that to make space for new items, it’s time to let go of some old ones.

It’s also important to remember to declutter as you begin getting out your holiday decorations. When you can see everything in one place, it’s easier to realize that you may have more than you need. You may also notice a few items you no longer love, and this is a perfect time to donate them or let them go.

Organizing Holiday Decor

After you’ve done a quick declutter, it’s time to get out the holiday decorations! If you’re like most of my clients (before we worked together), you haul out the boxes each year and grumble about the tangled jumble of items. Maybe you’ll swear that this is the year you’ll get them organized. Then, January rolls around, and you’re in a rush, so everything gets dumped back in the boxes.

When organizing holiday decor, start by categorizing items into groups like lights, ornaments, wreaths, and garlands. Store each category in clear, labeled bins for easy identification, and consider using divided containers or padding for fragile items.

Take an extra few minutes to untangle and neatly wrap lights and garlands before storing them, saving time and reducing frustration next year. Label each box by location (living room tree ornaments, outdoor lights, etc.) to make next year’s setup a breeze. Well-organized holiday decor simplifies decorating and preserves items so they last for seasons to come.

Take an extra few minutes to untangle and neatly wrap lights and garlands before storing them, saving time and reducing frustration next year. See my post [insert title here and hyperlink] for a more detailed approach to organizing your decorations.

Create a Holiday Command Center

When the holidays arrive, our brains are overloaded because we have a variety of schedules to juggle, tasks to complete, errands to run, and lists to keep track of. No wonder we begin missing details, and our stress level goes up.

Creating one space where you keep all the information improves your chances of maintaining everything. Choose something that works for your family, whether a digital hub, a three-ring binder, or a small corner of your kitchen. After choosing a space for your holiday command center, use it to keep essential lists, reminders, and schedules so everything you need is in one central location. Keeping track of holiday tasks, such as shopping lists, baking schedules, and party plans, becomes much easier when they’re all visible in one place.

It’s also helpful to set up a dedicated gift-wrapping area and stock it with essentials like wrapping paper, tape, scissors, gift tags, and ribbon. Keeping everything together saves time and prevents the dreaded search for missing tape or scissors right when needed.

Organized Gift Giving

A significant contributor to holiday stress is keeping everything in your head. When you’re setting up your holiday command center, be sure to include a place for tracking gifts. Create a spreadsheet, or other note-keeping system to track who’s receiving what, budgets, and if the gift needs to be purchased, wrapped, or mailed. This helps you avoid forgetting anyone or accidentally double-gifting. If your feeling the extra stress of economic impacts and need to budget, have an honest conversation with your family about setting boundaries, simplifying and managing expectations (for kids and adults!).

Make a Holiday Bucket List with the Family

It’s can be disappointing when the holidays are over, and you suddenly remember a favorite movie you forgot to watch or a community event you missed. Spend ten minutes during dinner (maybe around Thanksgiving?) asking the whole family for input on a family holiday bucket list and write it all down.

Remember to divide roles and responsibilities so they don’t all fall on your shoulders. Asking kids to look up events and add them to the calendar helps them begin learning these skills while taking some pressure off you!

This ensures making the most of the holiday season and helps organize plans so everyone knows what to expect.

Don’t Forget Your Holiday Self-Care

Psychologists recommend making time for relaxation and self-care to manage stress levels and maintain mental well-being during the holidays. Remember to schedule small moments for yourself, such as coffee breaks, short walks, or quiet reading time. Taking a few minutes each day to recharge can help prevent burnout during this busy season.

Wrapping Up

The holidays are joyful and less stressful with thoughtful planning and organized systems. From setting up a command center to tracking gifts and creating a self-care routine, these organizational strategies can help you quickly tackle the holiday season. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection — it’s to create a holiday season that feels meaningful and joyful.

Even with these tips, you may need extra support. I love helping you get organized and prepared for the holidays! Contact me for a quick chat to learn how it works. If we’re a good fit, we can schedule your first session before the holidays arrive!

Happy Pre-Holiday Organizing!

7 Top Excuses for Storing Extra Stuff

October 27, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

“Out of Sight Storage”, nothing quite lives up to this description like a Storage unit, but there are other places you might be storing extra stuff. You might have asked yourself, Is there ever a good excuse for storing extra stuff? How can you prevent your out-of-sight storage from becoming a large junk pile? Below, I share some of the “good excuses” for storing extra stuff.

An estimated one in three Americans rents a storage unit. Of these renters, the majority are currently Baby Boomers, with a projected 50% of Gen Z planning to use them in the future.

So WHY are we storing so much stuff?

More and more storage facilities are popping up. With the popularity of shows like “Storage Wars“, our culture seems to have accepted that using storage units is “normal”.

Do we really need all this stuff or has our level of consumption outpaced our housing?

There are new trends in storing extra stuff, including shared spaces in people’s homes and a “on demand” storage companies that will drop off and retrieve storage, and even barcode items so you can get back only what you need, when you need them. Of course, these premium services come with premium prices!

I love the flexibility of both of these options, especially for short-term storage, or when downsizing to retirement communities (many of which have very little storage). There are definitely times that having some out-of-sight storage has been valuable and other times when it seems like a big $ pit.

When faced with inherited items or an eminent downsize, Americans are highly reluctant to part with their things. There is a lot of FOMO going on here, but not much evidence that people actually need or use the stuff they pay to store. There are instances when storage make a lot of sense and I will review those “good excuses” in this post.

In all circumstances, please review your insurance policies to be sure your contents of storage are covered adequately.

Here are the 7 top ‘Good Excuses’ for Storing Extra Stuff

Storing valuable personal property that might not be protected at home. Examples include extensive collections of climate-sensitive items. This may be expensive jewelry, vehicles, or other collectibles, that might be safer in climate-controlled off-site storage. This type of storage could range from a safe deposit box to an off-site garage.
Home remodeling. It’s often necessary to store items when remodeling or building. In this case, make items you might need easy to access. Building and remodeling can take longer than expected, so plan (seasonal wardrobe switch, paperwork, etc.).
Collections or work-related archives that you need to hold onto but do not have space for at your home or small business. Examples include artwork, medical or legal files/records, or other paperwork that is taking up valuable space elsewhere.
Temporary storage of items when relocating. This can be especially helpful if items are being moved to multiple locations. It also makes moving day easier when you specify what comes from storage vs. other locations. This may be necessary if you or someone in your family lives in college housing and goes “home” for the summer, but needs to store stuff near school.
Downsizing and times of indecision or stress. I share this option with extreme caution. Often, people fall into the forever-storage situation triggered by a move or downsizing. After the move they never get to sorting through their things. If you downsize and place items to be sorted in storage, do so with the minimum space needed. Have a plan to sort through items on a specific timeline (say one year max?). I’ve seen this work very successfully and I’ve seen the ambition be greater than the motivation to eliminate the storage.
Estate sales and family redistribution. There are times when a storage unit can help sort through and liquidate an estate. Sometimes, the family doesn’t live nearby, and the main property can no longer be used for storage. It’s best to know specifically what contents are going into storage. Have the estate inventoried for distribution to specific family members, and set a particular deadline. Decide in advance whether the family estate will pay for this or whether family members will split the cost. Be clear in your communication about expectations.
Insurance claim issues. There is sometimes damage to a house, and contents must be stored and or inventoried for insurance purposes. This is uncommon, but I have seen and worked with clients in this situation.

If you’re not sure whether off-site storage is the right choice, consider the cost per square foot of storage vs. keeping things in place. You may also want to consider what you will do with the free space you gain. What is the value of that space to you, fiscally, creatively, emotionally?

Once you have identified why you will be storing extra stuff, create an inventory and system for efficient storage. This can be a spreadsheet or a simple set of photos and list! Labeling items in storage is also essential and can correspond with an inventory or you can place a simple one-page inventory within the bins. A simple inventory will help you quickly and efficiently access what you need. If you are storing items for a business, create a file-inventory index based on the type of storage you will use. If you will store files in bankers’ boxes, decide on a labeling system and label the boxes and shelves so you can identify and replace items easily. Larger items, such as artwork, collectibles, or furnishings, can be labeled similarly.

If you’re renting storage space, create an easy-to-access system by bringing in easy-to-assemble shelves. Make use of the vertical space and tall ceilings in most storage units. Store anything sensitive in a climate-controlled environment. Be certain you have sufficient insurance and make regular payments to the storage facility (so that your unit doesn’t end up on Storage Wars!:)

If you know you are using a storage unit temporarily, don’t sign a long-term contract. Be aware of and notify your storage facility of your exit date (read the contract). Will you be getting rid of things all at once (book the mover early so you don’t back out!) or a little at a time? Have a plan to work through things that need sorting with a friend, family member, or an organizer.

From Back to School to Burning Man

August 29, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Organizing Projects, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

This August, I shifted modes from Back to School to Burning Man! What do these two things have in common?

Preparation, preparation, preparation!

If you are gearing up for back to school, you’re preparing with your kids. From kindergarten to college, heading back to school always requires something. If you want tips and resources to help you prepare, look no further than the following posts.

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